Ko-toa are a vile race of amphibious humanoids who dwell under the oceans and throughout the Underdark.
Most Ko-Toa are half-mad religious zealots; descendants of a once-great race that was pushed deep underground many millennia ago. Today, they worship mad-gods and spawn new numbers; dreaming of the day when they will re-take the surface. Although their population was nearly exterminated and forgotten, they plot their inevitable resurgence with a despicable glee.
Combat
Ko-toa employ a cunning mix of secretions, alchemy, and group assault to take out their foes. The Pincer Staff, a long staff with a restraining claw at the end, is used by some Ko-toa to trap enemies so that the Ko-toa's allies can pummel them without retribution. Harpoons are employed by Ko-toa to stick enemies, yank them off their feet, and pull them closer if they try and flee. Sticky Shields are used by Ko-toa to restrain an enemy's weapon: if the foe strikes their shield, the weapon can become stuck fast to its surface.
Slippery Skin is a feature of Ko-toa skin secretions. This makes them difficult to restrain, and able to slide out of grapples and other restraints easily. This also makes them resistant to magical restraint. Lightning Strike is an ability used by several Ko-toa priests ("Eyes") at once, generating a blast of lightning using divine magic. True-sight allows Ko-toa to see through illusions and deceptions such as invisibility and etherealness.
Ko-toa are resistant to electricity. However, they seem to be vulnerable to bright light and fire and fear them.
Society
Ko-toa are worshippers of the dark goddess A'hur-Rhani; the "Sea Mother." Their holy sites provide access to salt water, and often serve as spawning points and trade centers. Though wicked, they respect most other races of the underdark, at least in terms of power: their holy sites serve as places to trade slaves and goods from many corners of the underdark.
Amongst other Ko-toa, the creatures are fairly antisocial and independent. Madness is a common ailment amongst the Ko-toa, their degenerate nature encourages a weak mind.
Some Ko-toa tribes worship Dagon instead of the Sea Mother, although the two sects don't seem to have an active rivalry.
Enemies
Ko-toa have a vicious hatred for the civilized races of the surface. Amongst the other creatures with whom they share the Underdark, the Ko-toa fear the Illthids and loathe Drow, Duergar, and Svirneblin.
Variants
- Whips are rogues of the Sea Mother. Whips rule Ko-toa society and direct the operations of its members.
- Monitors are elite warriors who serve to keep the other Ko-toa in line. They have discipline, and control those Ko-toa who go mad or become violent, in order to keep Ko-toa holy sites peaceful.
- Eyes are clerics of A'hur-Rhani who serve the Ko-toa leaders. Many use Electrically-charged weapons